The 7 Bravest People in the Watch World

I have spoken previously about how watch enthusiasts are some of the sexiest people to walk this earth, but did you also know that we are also some of the bravest?

Here is my list of the top 7 bravest individuals in the watch world…

1. Kickstarter watch designers

With the million different watches being produced around the world today, the million different watch designs that have been produced over the last 100 years, and the massively talented watch designers and design teams within the industry, with budgets in the millions… it takes someone with a special set of cajonies to think to themselves….

And decide they can do better.

A lot of people will talk the talk about how they could do a better job of watch design when they see AP produce watches such as this….

But who out there would actually put their time and money into designing a watch, source a supplier and then go through to work of bringing it into existence, knowing damn well how brutal and demanding fellow enthusiasts can be?

*Watch is 40mm and not 39mm*

Enthusiasts:

2. Watchmakers

In this bracket I’m including anyone who works on repairing or refurbing watches, especially if they aren’t your own. Tiny screws the size of an eyelash, jewels the size of an ants head, mechanics like …

… all inside something the size of a 50p, which may be worth £1000’s and be very beloved family heirloom by whoever entrusted it to you.

All that potential for tiny cogs flicking away into oblivion or being lost in the bowels of the movement, screwdrivers slipping and causing irrevocable damage to the delicate and impossible to replace components or that random sneeze at a critical moment….

Brave folks.

3. People who openly love fashion watches

Big respect to any enthusiast out there who openly shares their love of fashion watches. I’m not talking about those watches you got ‘Before you knew better’ and just keep in your collection ‘For fun’… No… to be truly brave you have to proudly say “Behold my Tommy Hilfiger Chronograph that I bought and love!”.

Extra respect if you wear it to a watch meetup.

4. People who admit to falling for hype

Everyone is so adamant that they are making up their own minds regarding their watch purchases, 100% free from all external influences of any kind, it is a rare individual who will put their hands up and say “You know what, I got swept up in the hype of this watch and I don’t really want it afterall.”.

But there is no shame in falling for hype!

Hype is a heady concoction of FOMO, peer pressure and group think, and it’s effects on our psychi are hard to resist! You’re not weak for falling for it, you’re just human, and a braver one for recognising and admitting it.

5. Social influencers who unapologetically share their opinions.

I do not envy social influencers in the watch world.

Your content has to be mainstream enough to be appealing to the masses, but not so mainstream to be boring.

You have to be fresh and edgy enough to bring something interesting to the table, but not so diversive as to alienate your audience.

You need to come across as genuine, authentic and honest, but you can’t be so ‘honest’ in your reviews that you put off watch brands from engaging with you.

Be friendly, but not fake.

Drop your hot takes, but only if enough people agree with them.

Share your opinions, but always with the caveat of “But this is only my opinion, don’t listen to me, make up your own mind, you do you, wear what you love.”

Brave are the folks who walk this tightrope.

6. The person who shares their 100% Rolex collection.

Got a banging collection of vintage Casios? The community is 100% here for that. Love vintage Bulova to the exclusion of all other watches? People will completely understand and praise your dedication to the niche collection. Adore Cartier and your collection of 10 different versions of the tank? You’ll win plenty of cool points amongst your watch peers.

Share your collection of Rolex GMTs, OPs and Submariners? What people will see….

It’s a brave person who puts themselves in the firing line for the hate a watchbox full of Rolex will bring.

7. Everyone, the first time they change a watch strap.

We all start somewhere, and that first experience of changing a strap is a right of passage.

The fear of inflicting scratches to your beloved watch lugs, still so shiny, flawless and just-out-of-the-box perfect

Or that thought of “Holy shit… if that went in my eye…” as a spring bar pings away into a distant corner of the room, never to be seen again.

We may think nothing of it now, but bravery is required to take these beginners steps.


Take care you awesome, sexy, brave people.
You rock.